THE VENERABLE DON BOSCO
Benedict XV, in his eloquent pastoral, delivered to the "Salesian Co-operators" at the celebration of the centenary of Don Bosco's birth, speaks of her as a holy and admirable woman who not only had a share in the individual life, but also in the social life of Don Bosco; and placing around Margaret the aureole of sanctity, he compares her to St. Teresa, St. Jane Frances de Chantal and the Blessed Sophie Barat.
With his noble and self-sacrificing mother Margaret at the household helm, guiding and ordering all with the prudence of the valiant woman, Don Bosco was now able to give his whole attention to the development of his great ideal. The studies were carried on with such ardor and assiduity that soon the Oratory of St. Francis of Sales had its own professors in the various scholastic departments; and wonderful vocations to the priesthood became evident, so that a college and seminary grew within the Oratory. There were day schools for those who had leisure and night schools for those who had to work; for Don Bosco would educate, as far as possible, every member of his Society and give him a better hope of success in life. Here might be seen Savoyards, Swiss, Lombards and several other nationalities, all living together in harmony and brotherhood, though they had their trained regiments and bands and fought many sham battles: all was activity, but tempered and seasoned with rare and solid piety.
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